"Still," Oliver continues, his voice carrying that familiar undertone of protectiveness. "If he tries anything inappropriate you tell me. I will have a word with him about proper conduct." His icy blue eyes hold hers steadily, conveying the seriousness behind his casual tone. The offer hangs in the air between them– silent acknowledgment that despite working apart now, some things remain firmly within his territory.
Harper considers his words, she can already imagine how jealous and possessive Oliver would act if she did tell him something like that. "If he does try anything, I will report it to HR." she said firmly. "I am not going to involve you. That would be inappropriate considering our romantic relationship." Oliver's jaw tightens at her mention of Human Resources, the professional distance she was imposing sending a flicker of frustration through him. "Inappropriate?" he repeats, his voice carrying a sharp edge. "Harper, if some thirty-something executive is making you feel uncomfortable, it is my responsibility as your former boss and the CEO of this company to intervene." He sets down his sandwich with more force than necessary, his hands gripping the edge of the desk. "I don not care if it is 'inappropriate.' Your well-being is not something I am going to delegate to human resources." His blue eyes flash with something protective as he leans forward slightly. "You think I am going to sit here and let Marius or anyone else make you feel uncomfortable without saying a word? That is not how this works."
Harper stands up and walks around the large Mahogony table to lean down and cup his cheek. "You can't separate yourself as the CEO and my boyfriend," she said softly. "That is why it would be better to follow proper channels." Oliver's body goes still as her hand cups his cheek, the warmth of her touch sending a jolt through him. His eyes close for a brief moment, savouring the contact before opening to mee her gaze with intense blue. "Boyfriend," he repeats the word slowly, testing it on his tongue as if trying to understand how it fits with his CEO persona. "You think I can just compartmentalize that? Pretend you are not the woman I spent last night holding in my arms?" his hand comes up to cover hers on his cheek, his large fingers dwarfing her smaller ones. The contrast between his rough CEO exterior and the tenderness of this moment is palpable. "I can't separate them, Harper," he admits gruffly, his voice dropping to a raw whisper. "Every time I see you with Marius, every time I hear you mention someone else's name, it feels like a physical ache."
"I know," Harper said softly. "That is why, if I find myself in a situation that I can't handle, I will report it so HR. That is why the department exists, to sort out disputes between employees." Oliver's thumb traces along her knuckles as he processes her explanation, his expression softening slightly. The practical logic behind her reasoning seems to calm some of his protective instincts. "Dispute resolution," he echoes with a wry twist of his lips. "Right. Like 'disputing' whether Marius is allowed to comment on your outfit choices or ask you out for drinks after work." He lets out a short, humourless laugh, leaning into her touch for a moment before pulling back reluctantly. "HR would not understand the nuances here, Harper. They would see you as the new girl complaining about her boss's friendliness while I would look like the overprotective lover." Standing up abruptly, Oliver moves toward the window overlooking the city skyline. his broad shoulders seem tense under his suit jacket as he adjusts his cufflinks with jerky motions. "This whole situation is ridiculous," he mutters more to himself than to her.
"What? You getting all hot and bothered over you girlfriend?" Harper asks as she moves to stand beside him. "I kind of like that part." She tucks her hand under his arm. "I am just setting clear boundaries. Now if a guy hits on me at the supermarket, you go right ahead and do your possessive boyfriend thing…" she says, leaning against him. "But you can't do that at work." Oliver's rigid posture softens instantly at her touch, his body relaxing against hers as she presses closer. The combination of her teasing tone and the physical contact sends a visible tremor through him, though he tries to hide it by clearing his throat. "Hot and bothered?" he repeats dryly, glancing down at her with a mix of amusement and frustration. "I am forty-three years old, not some hormonal teenager. I am concerned about your professional integrity being compromised by Marius's wandering hands." His free hand comes up to rest on your waist, pulling you flush against his side despite the risk of someone walking in. the familiar weight of her body against his feels both comforting and infuriatingly distracting. "Supermarket, yes," he concedes with a sigh, running his hand up to rest on her hip. "But that is different. There is no power dynamics involved, no possibility of career advancement or promotion being affected by your boss's inappropriate behaviour."
"Nothing has happened," she says softly. "And if something does happen and I tell you… What will you do? Strom into his office? How will that help?" Oliver's grip on her hip tightens slightly at her logical questions, his jaw clenching as he considers the scenario you have painted. The image of marching into Marius's office, confronting him about touching what belongs to him– it is tempting, dangerously so. "I will fire him," he says simply, his voice dropping to a dangerous level. "Or at least threaten to. Marius knows better than to cross me professionally, but maybe he needs reminding." He turns to face her fully, one hand moving up to cup her other cheek mirroring her earlier gesture. His blue eyes search hers intently, seeking confirmation that you understand the dept of his commitment here. "If he lays a single finger on you that is not strictly business-related, I will make his life hell," he promises quietly but fiercely. "I do not care about professional decorum or HR protocols or anything except keeping you safe from creeps like him."